Cody delighted after making Dons bow

5 August 2015

mkdons.com

Cody Cropper made his first start in an MK Dons shirt on Monday and the American goalkeeper says he ‘enjoyed every minute’.

Cropper, who moved to stadiummk this summer on a free transfer from Southampton, played the majority of the friendly against a Chelsea XI, pulling off a number of impressive saves and earning himself a standing ovation from the supporters.

“It was brilliant playing in front of the MK (Dons) fans,” Cropper told MK Dons PlayerHD. “They were great the entire game and they gave me a standing ovation when I came off - I enjoyed every minute.”

He continued: “It feels good to be a good club where I’m pushing to play and in the picture - that’s all I can really ask. Hopefully the gaffer will give me opportunities to get minutes and I’ll do the best I can do make up his mind.

“It’s been an easy transition for me because not only have the players and staff helped me but the style of play at Southampton is really similar to the style of play that the manager wants here – that’s made the transition a lot easier.”

Monday’s friendly against the Blues was the Dons’ final warm-up match ahead of their Sky Bet Championship opener against Rotherham United this weekend and Cropper believes the group are in good shape ahead of that trip to the AESSEA New York Stadium.

“We’ve had a lot of games in the last two or three weeks and I think everyone has handled it really well, not only the players but the staff as well. It’s been a great opportunity for us to go out and get minutes and although the results weren’t what we wanted, we’re playing the way the staff wants us to.

“The opening game of the season is going to be massive for us. It’s a big year for the Football Club and we only hope that we can live up to everybody’s expectations. Our goal is obviously to stay up and finish as high as we can and we’re going to do our best to achieve that.”

Watch the Dons in action this Saturday when they take on Rotherham United in their Sky Bet Championship opener - tickets are priced at £23 adults, £13 over-65s, £8 for under-18s and £6 for under-12s.